Changing Your Life with Psalms

Despair

Things may seem desperate but suddenly the psalmist changes direction.

But You, God, be not distant; my Strength, hasten to help me. Rescue my soul from the sword, from the grip of the dog, my quintessence. Save me from the lion’s mouth; for from the horns of the reimim [vicious animal, possibly an ox or buffalo] You have answered me. I will proclaim Your Name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I shall praise You (Psalm 22: 20-23).

Psalm 22 ends on an upbeat note:

“They will come and declare His righteousness to a newborn people that which He has done” (Psalm 22: 32). “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” a verse from Psalm 22, is well known to everyone since it is similar to Jesus’ last words. This psalm reminds us that no matter how bad things seem, one should not give up hope. One can understand why the Jewish people who were persecuted by numerous empires for more than 2,000 years could identify with Psalm 22.